Homo Sapien is the official
title for a species of animal, a physical life form, but the term Human
Being is supposed to imply an entity that transcends just being an
animal. What makes us human to set us apart from the rest of the animal
kingdom?

Isn't a human being a
spiritual being with a physical body? If I lose a finger, does that make
me less human? Does that loss diminish my personality and character,
impinge on my intrinsic worth? Obviously not. So, apparently a human
being cannot be defined by physical attributes, and must be defined by
spiritual—or non-material, for you materialists out there—attributes.

What are these attributes?
Some of the major ones are:

We have an innate ability to
imagine, to create forms, structures, situations, interactions, art,
music, concepts and ideas, readings and understandings of the psychology
and intentions
of others.

We have a complete volitional
range, where we can choose to believe, decide what to do, and modify our
own will and feelings.

We have a complete range of
humane values that we call human.

We can canvass and evaluate
our own values, intentions and motives, and adjust them according to our
deeper purpose and beliefs.

We can be instilled with the
highest and most noble ethics, such as courage, honor, compassion, love,
kindness, mercy, good will, etc.

How do we transcend animals?
Is it not with our higher spiritual aspects and qualities? Here are some
dimensions that set us apart:

a. The truly
human has the dimension of romance that transcends mere fondness and
physical desire.
b. Humans have intellect and not just intelligence as
animals have. See
Mind related definitions
c. Humans have languages composed of sound symbols and not
just sound signals.

Now, in some cases such as some dolphins and whales,
the line gets blurred, maybe a lot. But the distinctions generally hold.